Beth reported that MPS is now under LOI to lease 123 Darling, South Portland, for our school campus. MPS is now in the process of hiring Port City Architecture to develop plans for the building, including dividing the entrance. Changes to meet code are expected to be minimal. 

123 Darling will require a zoning change to accommodate public schools.  The building owners have submitted an application to be considered by the South Portland planning board on Oct. 22. They will follow up with vote 2 weeks later. The city council will need to approve their recommended zoning change, which is expected to occur by mid-December. 

MPS has been approved for $100k from the Davis Foundation to fund pre-enrollment costs building expenses, and supplies. This is pending a $400k match. The match can include general operations but it also presents a good opportunity to raise local philanthropic interest.

MPS currently has a $450k net positive budget, meaning startup funds have been fully raised.

MPS has identified a candidate for a Chief of School Operations. This candidate would be capable of helping Moxie grow from startup mode into its planned future size and sites. This would be an upgrade from the original plan of hiring a director of operations at the individual school level.

Dan will come on 1/2 time as Head of School in January, 2026. The proposed second candidate could join in June, 2026 if hired, and could also consult in the meantime. MPS is engaging a search consultant to help fill other administrative roles. 

MPS will be contracting Mariposa, a marketing firm specializing in recruiting students. Mariposa can work with Schola throughout the recruitment process.  Recruitment will need to be aggressive from November 2025-March 2026. Marketing collateral is expected to arrive within a few weeks. 

Charlie recommended making recruitment messaging a major component of a retreat. Matt recommended techniques to reach kids in order to get them to be their own advocates to enroll in MPS.

Dan reviewed the typical process and timeline of families choosing schools in the Portland school district. MPS will face the challenge of recruiting students before having a facility that families can tour. 

The new website is going live in next couple weeks.

Dan and Charlie intending to meet soon.

Beth reported that budget revisions were made based on now-known facilities costs and the proposed change to hire Chief of School Operations rather than a single-site school operations director. 

Proposed time is full day on November 25.

Proposed topics include partnership mapping, messaging, and trainings on engagement. 

Proposed locations include 123 Darling, or the conference room at Matt Pouliot's business.